AMA Announces 2007Motorcross of Nations 'MonsterAMA TeamUSA'

By Motorcycle.Com Staff, Aug. 03, 2007

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced the members of AMA Team USA. The team will compete at the 2007 Motocross of Nations (MXoN) scheduled for Sept. 22- 23, at Budds Creek Motocross Raceway in Maryland.

The riders selected to represent the United States are James Stewart (MX1), Ryan Villopoto (MX2), and Ricky Carmichael (MX3).

The team was announced yesterday, along with Monster Energy being named the team sponsor during ceremonies at the 2007 AMA Air Nautiques Amateur Motocross National Championships at Loretta Lynn's Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

"AMA Team USA is thrilled that Monster has taken on the role as team sponsor," said AMA Pro Racing Motocross/Supercross Series Manager Steve Whitelock. "The financial support that Monster Energy is providing to the team will make a significant contribution to this year's effort."

American riders have won the prestigious event 17 times, more than any other country. Three-rider teams, representing countries from around the globe, compete in the historic event often called the "Olympics of Motorcycling."

Monster AMA Team USA is the reigning champion, having won the event last September in Winchester, England. Stewart, Villopoto and Ivan Tedesco made up last year's team, Tedesco filling in for the injured Carmichael who was on hand as team captain. From 1981 to 1993, Team USA was undefeated in the Motocross of Nations, winning 13 straight times. Team USA was also victorious in 1996, 2000 and 2005, in addition to last year.

This marks Carmichael's seventh time representing the United States on the MXoN team. Stewart and Villopoto both debuted for the United States last year.

This year will be only the second time the Motocross of Nations has been held on U.S. soil. The last time was 1987 at the Unadilla Valley Sports Center in New Berlin, New York.

AMA Racing is the competition arm of the American Motorcyclist Association and is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its professional properties include the Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross Series, the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF, the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship, the AMA Supermoto Championship and the AMA Pro ATV Championship. In amateur and pro-am competition, AMA Racing sanctions over 4000 events in 24 different disciplines and supports over 110 thousand active members. For more information about professional racing, visit www.amaproracing.com